NFL Week 14 Predictions: Projecting the Week's Top Defenses

For those that love watching a defense control a football game, well, Week 14 is gonna be awesome.

Not only are the NFL's top defenses on playoff contending teams, but all go against a much inferior opponent. So, although the game may end up being lopsided, thank the defense.

So, to hit 'em fast and hit 'em hard, here are the top defenses for Week 14.

Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Browns)

The Steelers play host to Cleveland this week and the Browns are lucky to average 14 points per game. And that was before any game against Pittsburgh as well as just one against the Ravens.

Cleveland arguably has the NFL's worst offense and the Steelers have one of the best defenses (as if you're not surprised). That being said, Cleveland will be lucky if they get into FG position.

For one, the Pittsburgh front seven will easily shutdown the Browns rushing attack while also keeping QB Colt McCoy under much duress. The pass coverage is good enough to blanket the Browns WRs in single coverage with safety Troy Polamalu patrolling the area.

Unless Cleveland's No. 30 ranked rush offense can get established against Pittsburgh's No. 7 ranked rush defense, there's no hope for the Brownies. That'll allow Dick LeBeau to mix up blitzes and D-line stunts to slice the Browns pass protection and run-blockers, which in turn, takes pressure off the pass defense.

All in all, Pittsburgh's offense won't even have to take the field in this one.

Steelers over Browns.

Baltimore Ravens (vs. Colts)

No surprise here to see Baltimore on the list against the winless Colts. Much like Cleveland, the only chance Indy has of moving the football is to establish the ground game.

That won't happen because although that's their strength, the Colts only average 99 rush yards per contest and rank No. 26. As for the Ravens, their defense ranks No. 2 against the rush and No. 5 against the pass.

It's basically going to be a replica game of the Browns-Steelers, because the Ravens' front-seven will dominate in the trenches and get a solid pass rush up the middle and off the edges.

Indy's best odds when passing are to leave two RBs into block and maybe one of their athletic WRs can beat single or double coverage. The Colts will be down early as their defense won't stop the Ravens offense either, so the passing game will happen sooner than later.

Expect a simple scheme from Baltimore, Cover 2 with man-under for the intermediate routes and a normal pass rush. The Colts simply lack talent, so there's no need for the Ravens to get complex.

Ravens over Colts.

Houston Texans (at Bengals)

With the Texans offense just needing to not turn the ball over and the special teams to keep the field position battle even, Houston's defense will goose-egg the Bengals.

The Texans have a top-5 defense going against Cincinnati, who has the No. 19 and No. 20 ranked pass and rush offense, respectively. What's great about the Texans, however, is they can get good QB pressure and they don't thrive off forcing turnovers.

Any team who's tried to run the ball against them has failed and it's then made their opponents one-dimensional. This plays to Houston's favor even more, because the Texans are even better at pass defense.

Here, we'll see them double rookie wideout AJ Green and have their LBs get good jams on TE Jermaine Gresham at the line. No. 2 WR Jerome Simpson will be left in single coverage and the front seven will be responsible for shutting down Cedric Benson.

Houston not only has numbers in this case, but they're straight up better and more physical. It's basically like playing another AFC North team for Cincy because of how complete Houston is on defense.

Texans over Bengals.

Seattle Seahawks (vs. Rams)

Seattle has a respectable defense to say the least. The thing is, because they have such a horrendous offense, the defense has suffered.

Fortunately for them in Week 14, however, the Hawks get the Rams at home who have one of the NFL's worst offenses. St. Louis ranks No. 28 in passing and No. 27 in rushing whereas Seattle ranks No. 20 against the pass and No. 11 against the rush.

And although the Rams upset the Saints at home, that win alone doesn't look as impressive as Seattle's wins over the Giants, Ravens, Eagles and Cardinals.

Not to mention, when the two met in St. Louis a few weeks ago Seattle won 24-7 and held the Rams to just 185 total yards.

So it's clear that the Seahawks will shut down the Rams ground game and force their weak receiving targets to beat them. In turn, Seattle forces a few turnovers and wins the field position battle.

As long as the front seven wins the trenches and Brandon Lloyd is blanketed, St. Louis has no other chance to move the ball effectively until garbage time.

Seahawks over Rams.

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